Boston

Yankees Cross Boston Hotel Workers' Picket Line, Union Takes it Personally

What to Know

  • An estimated 1,500 Marriott International employees in Boston have been protesting their wages since Wednesday.
  • Ahead of the ALDS Game 1, the New York Yankees arrived in town and crossed the protestors' picket line.
  • Protestors plan to switch their "No contract, no peace" chants to "Yankees suck" after their move.

Some New York Yankees players have drawn the ire of a Boston union after they crossed a picket line on their way into their hotel on Thursday.

Approximately 1,500 Marriott International hotel employees across Boston walked out on the job earlier this week to demand a living wage. The union representing Marriott International hotel employees, Unite Here Local 26, is calling for increased wages from the hotel giant.

As the strike continues, the union is urging the public not to cross the picket line. 

According to Boston magazine, several Yankees players, including Brett Gardner and Dellin Betances, were captured on video Thursday crossing the picket line at the Ritz-Carlton as they arrived in the city for the start of the American League Division Series against the Red Sox this weekend.

"We understand that there’s a very intense rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, but quite frankly we’re a little outraged they would take it out on working class people who are out here sacrificing to improve their livelihoods," Unite Here Local 26 President Brian Lang said in a statement. "This is a slap in the face to all Bostonians."

The union said it will continue its picket on Friday at 3 p.m., but will switch their "No contact, no peace" chants to "Yankees suck." The strike will continue outside of the Ritz-Carlton Boston.

Game 1 of the ALDS begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fenway Park.

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